Labour plans Global Envoy for Religious Freedom

Speaking in the wake of the vicious murder of over 140 Christians at a university in Kenya, Nia Griffith, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Llanelli said,

“Yet again we have been appalled by these dreadful murderous acts carried out in the name of religion. Violence against Christians is on the rise – and, in some countries, unlike in Kenya, it appears to be met with indifference by the authorities. It is simply wrong for any group or individual to be persecuted because of their faith. According to the International Society for Human Rights, Christians are the victims of 80 per cent of all acts of religious discrimination in the world today. In the face of persecution on this scale, neither ignorance nor fear of offence can be an excuse for standing by on the other side in silence. That is why a Labour Government will appoint a Global Envoy for Religious Freedom, reporting directly to the Foreign Secretary.

More also needs to be done to try and harness the concern, expertise and understanding of faith leaders from across the UK and beyond. So in addition, Labour will establish a multi-faith advisory council on religious freedom within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

I would like to thank all those who have written to me on the issue of religious freedom, highlighting particular problems in various countries, which I have then been able to take up with the Foreign Office. We must continue to speak up strongly for religious freedom, and challenge persecution, wherever it occurs.”